There was major disruption on rural roads once again after a serious injury crash led to the closure of part of the A35 east of Dorchester.

Emergency services were called to Yellowham Hill on the Puddletown bypass shortly before 9pm on Wednesday after a motorcyclist came off his bike.

A spokesman for South Western Ambulance Service said an ambulance and a rapid response car attended.

The air ambulance also responded but the man was eventually taken to Dorset County Hospital, Dorchester, by road.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said the man suffered serious arm injuries which were not life-threatening.

The road was closed westbound between Yellowham Hill and Stinsford Roundabout for more than an hour-and-a half while emergency services dealt with the incident. It reopened at 10.30pm.

Locals said the closure led to “gridlock” through Higher Bockhampton as traffic left the A35 at the Cuckoo Lane turn-off.

Motorist Graeme Stephens spotted a road closure sign but says there was no further information regarding a diversion route. He says drivers were “left to their own devices” and that Cuckoo Lane, a single lane, became gridlocked as a result.

“No-one could pass,” he said. “In the end, everyone travelling up the road had to reverse and go a different way.”

Mr Stephens believes police could have done more to assist motorists. He added: “All they needed was a sign somewhere along the road informing motorists travelling from west to east to travel to Waddock Cross and turn left on the B3390 and within a few miles they’d be back to the A35.

“This would’ve stopped the cars trying to go up Bockhampton Lane when hundreds of vehicles were trying to go south off the A35.”

Mr Stephens’ comments echo those made by motorists caught up in a crash in the same spot last month.

A three-car collision led to the road being closed for more than four hours and traffic, including articulated lorries, left the A35 at the Higher Bockhampton exit, making its way along the lane which resulted in a “mudbath,” according to motorists.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said a road closure was necessary on Wednesday night to allow police officers and paramedics to deal with the situation.